Did you know that most child abuse occurs within family and friends?

Child neglect is most common in families living in poverty as well as in parents who are teenagers and/or drug or alcohol abusers. Although it is certainly true that child abuse occurs outside the home, It is more often that children are abused by a caregiver or someone they know, and not a stranger. I personally know a handful of women who were abused as children, which strongly affects the decisions they make today with who they leave their children with.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is classified as any sexual activity that a child cannot understand or consent to. For example, acts such as fondling, oral-genital contact, and genital and anal intercourse. There is also exhibitionism, voyeurism, and exposure to pornography.
It is known that one in four girls and one in eight boys will be sexually abused before they are eighteen years old.

Physical abuse 

This type of abuse occurs when a child’s body is injured as a result of hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or other show of force. The amount of children who have been physically abused is huge.

Child neglect 

Child neglect includes physical neglect like not providing food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities. There is emotional neglect like failing to show or give love, comfort, or affection to our child. There’s also medical neglect where one fails to provide medical attention to the child. Psychological or emotional abuse can become present when these types of abuses are or have occurred. Regardless of the type or situation abuse itself can harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well being.

Signs and Symptoms

It is not always easy to recognize when a child has been abused because those who have been abused are many times afraid to tell anyone. Many think they will be blamed or even worse no one will believe them. They often keep quiet because the person who abused them is someone they love very much, or because of fear, or both. Parents also tend to overlook signs and symptoms of abuse is because they don’t want to face the truth. Any child who has been abused needs special support and treatment ASAP. The longer she/he continues to be abused the less likely he is to make a full recovery.Many even gain weight excessively like on “my 600 lb life” to deal with that nasty feeling one who has been abused is forced to feel at such a young age.

Parents should always be alert to any inexplicable changes in the child’s body or behavior, it is important to be engaged in your child’s life and be in the know of what is going on with your child, at the same time giving them that confidence to tell you anything.